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The infantile mortality rate (20.04) was the lowest ever
recorded ; and compares with a rate of 26.3 for London, and of
29.8 for England and Wales. During the year under review no
Leyton woman died from diseases or accident associated with
pregnancy or childbirth.
Additional vital statistical material, with a table showing
comparative figures over a period of fifty years, is to be found on
page 20; and on pages 10 and 11 will be found some interesting
information regarding expectation of life at birth and advancing
years.
Sanitary Circumstances.
The burning of crude coal for heating throws into the atmosphere
about three million tons of sulphur every year—about as
much as would make up for our national shortage of sulphur, if
it could be collected. In addition, the use of raw coal in fireplaces
discharges into the atmosphere smoke and vapours which are
injurious to health, damage our clothes and our buildings, and
increase the work of the housewife. The question of smoke
prevention, a most serious public health problem, cannot be solved
until we are in possession of the relevant ' data
In order to assist in the investigation of atmospheric pollution
Leyton Council is now collaborating with the Department of
Scientific and Industrial Research, and has installed in the Health
Department the apparatus necessary to furnish daily measurements
of the concentration of atmospheric smoke and sulphur dioxide.
Full details of the procedure are furnished in the appropriate
section in the body of the report, along with records and graphs
of the atmospheric pollution.
Infectious Disease.
For the second year in succession no confirmed case of
diphtheria has been notified. Measles and whooping cough were
both epidemic during the year, but no death occurred due to
either type of infection. Scarlet fever is now so mild in type as
to be almost negligible as a cause of death. For the third year
since 1947 acute poliomyelitis has been epidemic, and is now one
of the most serious infectious diseases in the country. Unfortunately
it is one of the most distressing, for it leaves a permanent disability
which does not interfere otherwise with health.